UNB, Dhaka :
President Abdul Hamid on Thursday warned those trying to make business by turning education a commodity and told them to invest in any other sector that will benefit the country and the nation.
“An education institution is no way a business establishment… those trying to make business by turning education as a commodity should rather invest in any other sector that will benefit the country and the nation,” he said, addressing the 9th convocation of Brac University at the Army Stadium in the city.
A total of 1,495 students received degrees at the convocation while two students were given gold medals for their outstanding performance.
The President said that university is a ‘gateway to the greater kingdom of knowledge’, rather than a place to cut good figures in examinations following a restricted curriculum, “I believe, universities of the country will be able to unveil the door of knowledge to the students through real higher education, relentless practice of knowledge, research and creative activities.”
“Our many universities couldn’t yet become the proper centres of practicing knowledge. The results we get from the existing examination system are actually collected ones, not the ones which are produced. Students might have greed for such a system, but no affection,” said the President, also the chancellor of the university.
He added: “It won’t be possible to achieve the goal of education if we can’t turn the universities into the hubs of knowledge. Then this institution will be reduced to give certificates only.”
The President also observed that students from rural areas are not able to avail themselves of quality education in recent years because quality education is gradually being centralised to urban areas. “Perhaps, there are various reasons behind it. The reasons have to be identified. Gap between urban and rural areas has to be reduced,” he said.
“Otherwise, the overall flourishing and development of the nation can be hampered,” President Abdul Hamid said and urged all concerned to make necessary endeavors in this regard.
Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid and VC of Brac University Syed Saad Andaleeb, among others, also spoke at the convocation, while a speech of Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, chairman of the board of trustees of Brac University, was read out by Tamara Hasan Abed. Professor Emeritus of Dhaka University Anisuzzaman delivered the convocation speech.
